parasite pratleth but vpon â—ome other cause giuen rather from England as himself after page 57. of his libel confesseth in these woords The king of Spain and Popes malice saith he to the Queen is not for that she is daughter to king Henry the eight and sister to Queen Marie but because she hath banished the Pope that Antechriste of Rome c. ergo the Q. began with the Pope and the Pope not with her But secondly let it be considered in what maner this banishment of the Pope was contriued that in this time of peace between Rome and England after the Queens entrance what was donn at home by vs against the Pope to stir him to this act of hostilitie First not only the whole body of religion was changed that had indured aboue a thowsand years and this contrarie to expectation and promes but diuers peculier statutes were made also against the Bishop of Rome by â—ame with the most spiteful and opprobrius woords termes that any malice of man could deuise all the whole Catholique body of England enforced to sweare against him and his authoritie by name or els to incur most greeuous and capital damages the like detestable othe was offered and repeated again and again to all such and as often as they were to take any degree of preferment within the land All the clergie was deposed and depriued of liuings libertie only for adhering to the Popes religioÌ„ the Bishops other principal prelates of our land committed to prisons holds and restraints for the same cause and there continued vnto their dying day for that they refused to subscribe to so violent a statute Then such as would leaue the realme or fle were inhibited those that staied at home were inforced to participate not only of these other but also eating new deuised Sacrament bâ—ead against their consciences condemned also and anathemazed by the lutheraÌ„s first founders of this new religioÌ„ The Pope euery where was cried out of reuiled made a matter of scorne infamy not only in all sermons pulpits and conuenticles but also in comedies plâ—ies and interludes by euery base and contemptible companion In the schooles of vniuersities most ridiculous propositions were set vp as paradoxes to be defended that the Pope forsooth was Antechriste the man of sinne talked of by S. Paule and other like toyes And that which moued perhaps more then all the rest was that these things were not only practised alowed of in England and Ireland subiect to her Maiestie but were begun to be introduced also by ouâ— meanes that is by the turbulent attempts and practises of protestants her Maiestie perhaps knowing litle therof in all the realmes and regions round about vs and namely in France Flanders and Scotland where the warres tumults rebellions deuisions sects heresies and other outrages came to be so many and excessiue great as the lawfulâ— and naturà ll princes of those contries seeing themselues so far indomaged and highly endaungered therby were inforced first of all to complain vnto the Pope as chief pastor and common father of all to vse such spirituall redresse as he might for his party in respect oâ— his ecclesiasticall souereigntie whilest they prepared also to defendâ— themselues and their troobled countries by force of armes Not malignitie then of the Pope and his adherents agaynst heâ— Maiesties crown and diadem wherunto willingly they had concurâ—â— and assisted moued this first breach and bickering as this malignanâ— barking-whelp would beat into mens eares but necessities of greatâ—â— violence inforced the same And if perhaps we in England after the change made in religion had taken that course which Protestants did in Germany to follow our new opinions without gawling of others none of these open hostilities had euer insued And let this stand foâ— the second notandum wherby is ouerthrown all this slanderous caâ—lumniation of the kinght The third note may be to consider with indifferency what this acâ— of the Popes excomunication is in it self or how far it may in reason and iustice without malice and calumniation be streched against thâ— Catholique subiects of England In it self it was an act of iurisdiction between two superiours thâ— one Ecclesiastical the other temporal wherin the subiects sentencâ— or consent was neuer asked nor admitted Secondly it was no new thing for that we see and read that thâ— like hath happened often and vpon many occasions between thâ— Bishops of Rome and diuers other great princes common-wealthes Emperours Kings and monarchs and sometymes also with kings of England and of late with the king of France as all the world knoweth And yet the subiect is neither afflicted nor accused for it nor â—nforced to change their old receaued beleef about the Popes authoâ—itie in such matters though in that particuler fact for reuerence of â—heir naturall Prince and dew respect in lyke manner to the other â—hey will not medle nor yet discuss the question whether the Pope â—ad iust reason or sufficient information whervpon to proceed but with dutifull loue and honour to the one and to the other they chuse â—ather to commend the matter to almightie God which is the only â—hing that resteth for a pious and dutiful subiect to perform in such â—ases when two superiours shall disagree vntill God by his goodnes â—hall determine the controuersy and bring all to some happie end as â—e hath donn of late in France where after the foresaied excomuniâ—ation by the see Apostolique the same king hath receyued exceeding great fauours and benefytes from the same sea and Bishop which almightie God graunt we may once see also in our countrie to the conâ—entment of all parties and therby all such hastie hoate-spurres as this â—s who still would kindle more fier and bring all to desperation may â—e reiected and put to silence And with this I might end the matter of her Maiesties perils were 〈◊〉 not that this playntiffe proceedeth on with a long rehersal of other â—ostile actions committed as he sayth by English Catholiques also â—gaynst her Maiestie As the rising of the two earles in the north â—orthumberland and VVestmerland the rebellion of diuers of the â—obilitie in Irland Doctor Sanders going thither Mayster Francis â—hrogmortons practises in England M. Charles Pagets going â—orth of the land the other two earles of Arundell Northumberâ—ands commitment and the like All which are ouer long to examine more in particuler and all put together do weigh so litle in the matter we haue in hand as by that which followeth shal appeare None of all these actions brake out to any hostilitie sauing only â—he two earles rysing and gathering their tenantes together in the â—orth where yet there followed neither battayle nor bloodshed and â—hey were no sooner almost together nor heard of at the courte â—ut they were seuered agayn and retyred into Scotland Flanders And this is all the actual rysing that hath byn among Catholiques within
ghost The second notable poynt which the Bishop vttered in this sermon was concerning king Henrie the eight his lord and mayster which moued the auditorie no lesse then the other And this was that the sayd king a litle before his death had dealt with him verie secretly and seriously to haue sent him to a certayne dyat in Germanie vnder pretence to treat other matters but in deed the cheef poynt should be to seeke out some honorable way and meanes as from himself and not from the king either by the Emperor legat popes Nuntio or other fit instrument to reconcyle him agayne to the church of Rome And this the Bishop affirmed to be most true vpon his oath and fidelitie to God and the world and to the memorie of the sayd king his master dead whome he shewed to loue so tenderly and dearly as he wepte most bitterly also in that place for that this holie motion had not taken the effect he desired attributing the let therof to Gods seuere iudgmentes and to the great difficulties which the sayd king found of making that recoÌ„ciliatioÌ„ with his honour and reputation which temporal honour he lamented much that it was more regarded by the king and some that counselled him then in so weightie a woork of eternall saluation ought to haue bin Thus then was the substance and these were the circumstances of that sermon Let vs now coÌ„sider whether the theam he tooke iam hora est nos de somno surgere were fit and to his purpose or no or whether it were prophanely blasphemously peruerted as this wise gentleman affirmeth who taketh vpon him to censure the matter First let it be considered that if euer any man of our realm might take vpon him to talk of a sleep or dream in matters of our coÌ„mon-wealth as a Counsellor and of his own knowledge Bishop Gardener might do it which had seen such alterations both of religion and temporalityes within our land such chopping and chaunging such pulling down and setting vp as he might fitly call the tyme a time of sleep or dream For as in a sleep things are represented to a man confusedly and out of hand they passe away and contrarie representations come in their place so had Bishop Gardener seen in the publique affaires of the realme no lesse alterations of comicall and tragical acts after he came to be a councellor For first he had seen his own king and maister king Henry the eight so earnest in the defence of the catholique faith of the sea of Rome in perticuler as he wrote a booke in defence therof though he were disswaded by some of his counsell to do it for reason of state And after that again being to send this very man Gardener then his secretarie to Rome for his Embassador about soliciting of the diuorce between himself and Queen Catherine he commanded him to tel the Pope and Colledge of Cardinales that whatsoeuer they determined in that matter he would accept it with all indifferencie and euer be a most obedient childe of the Romane churche And this commission he gaue him in the presence of Cardinal VVolsey and yet soone after he saw the same king so chaunged for the affection he bare to an other partie as he brake with the Pope and churche of Rome and pulled down the sayd Cardinal and put to death two of the men that he esteemed most for vertue and learning of all his realme or of any other forrain kingdome of Christendom and whom he had loued before exceedingly to wit Doctor Fisher Bishop of Rochester and Sir Thomas More Chancelor Again Gardener had seen the same king wax weary soone after of the party for whose loue he had first begun to make all those stirres and to put her to death openly and yet to continew his former breaches and to run from one difficulty to an other and from one inconuenience to an other neuer to stop the fountain from whence all this vnquietnes came He had seen him also passe from on wife to another to the number of six dismissing some and putting others to death according to the affection or disaffection which he bare to each of them for the time He had seen him make diuers and different actes of parlament in preiudice or preferment of his own children now for their legitimation and inheritance now for the contrarie as by the statutes themselues yet extant in print is euident to the world And from the liking or disliking of his said wiues he passed also to the liking or suspition of his own kinred subiects and familier frâ—nds of which he pulled downe so many as by the stories may be seen And Bishop Gardener was wont to say of him that knew him ful well that after he once left to loue that person which by Gods law and mannes he was bound to loue aboue all others to wit his first wife and Queen he neuer loued any person harâ—ely and constantly afterwards Moreouer he had seen the poore king so combered and troobled about matters of religion as was pitiful to behold For that on the one side the point of his spiritual Supremacy taken vp in his choleâ— against the Pope seemed to touch his honor so neare as he might not shew to yeeld any one iote therin and consequently he was fain to put to death all such Catholiques as denyed the same though otherwise he both loued and highly esteemed themâ— and on the other side his iudgement and conscience in matters of the Catholique truthe against the protestants and all new sectaries conuinced his conscience and vnderstanding as he cleerly vttered in the statute of six articles which iudgement also enforced him to burne as many of that fide â— were conuicted And finally being wearied towards his later end with these combats of conscience and honor iudgement and passion he conferreâ— with Bishop Gardener as you haue heard about the mayn remedy and only sure redresse of all which was his returning to the vnion of the Romane churche and the rest of Christendome And besides all this Bishop Gardener had seen the same afflicted king brought to such streights and doubts in his later howers of life about the weightiest affaires that he had in this world as he could not tell what to determine ordayne or establish for the securitie of his owne children espeâ—ially of his only sonne prince Edward thaâ— had but nyne yeares yet of age and for that cause was the fatherâ— hart more peâ—siue about him For first he was afeard to leaue any protector vnto him remembring the eueÌ„t of king Edward the fourâ—â— his children vnder their vncle protector the Duke of Glocester And secondly he was as greatly afeard and afflicted also to think least after his death the perilous waues and fluddes of heresies should enter vpon him by the very same gate that hymself had opened VVhetfore both these poyntes he forbad expresly and appoynted for execution therof sixteen
their araygnments was sweet and comfortable their consciences clearing them before their sayd mayster from all such act meaning or intention of treasons as falsly was layd agaynst them and so much the more willingly they went to the ladder and their example with the same reasons and meditations haue put the same desyre in foure tymes as many of their owne coate as they were in thowsaÌ„des of others within the land which would neuer haue thought of this perfection of dying for religion if God had not taught it theÌ„ by this persecutioÌ„ exaÌ„ple of others Aâ—d Sir Francis himself coÌ„playneth also as before you haue heard that within these three yeares vpon his knowledge many haue fallen away and do fall away daylie from his religion to ours by example the one of the other for that as he saith Of the elder oxe the yonger steere doth learne So as by this may be gathered what will be the successe of this pursuite on the catholique syde if the rigor be continued But on the other hand what it may come vnto God only forseeth whose cause if the catholiques do defend and if his spirit be with them as to most men it is euident then must they winne in the end and his wrath will appeare at length agaynst the other parte that iniustly afflicteth them howsoeuer it be delayed and borne of for a tyme. Nor is the argument good that some do vse to make we haue indured thus long and prospered c. For the holy ghost himself answereth Ne dixeris pâ—ccaui quid mihi accidit triste altissimus enim est patiens redditor Say not I haue donne amisse and no hurt hath happened vnto me for that God is a patient paymayster and in the end payeth for all The wise Solon told rich Craesus in his prosperitie that the measure of his felicitie could not be taken but at the end of his lyfe which in deed fell out to be most miserable and in England king Henry the sixth concluded a long raigne of fortie yeares with a troblesome and pittiful perturbation of the same And yet was there no such violent vexation of subiectes in those dayes as now is and hath byn for many yeares wherin truly if we set asyde all respect of religion and of Gods intermedling in the case and consider only reason itself and the opinion of wise wordly men and Philosophers no man is ignorant but that they agree all that nullum violentum est durabile And agayne that malus diâ—turnitatis custos est metus And Christe our Sauiour much more fully Omne regnum in se diuisum desolabitur All which groundes and principles cannot but lay before your Lordships wisdomes the importance of some mitigation and mollification of matters for preuenting further inconueniences if not for the present yet at least for the tyme to come espetially if God in his iustice and anger should take from vs her maiestie all men may forsee in what termes we shalbe quickly when to the differences of religion shalbe added the other also about the succession intangled perhaps principally by these respects of religion And then when exasperated myndes shall come to haue more commoditie of working their willes and wreaking their wrathes great extremities may be feared except the way be made before hand by some temperature of mitigation for that English natures are vehement as all men know in whatsoeuer they take in hand but espetially in these kynde of differences as former tymes haue made lamentable experience and the future I feare will declare the same much more if preuention be not made seing that neuer in tymes past concurred so many circumstances of sharp contention both from at home and abrode as now are lyke to be no forayn prince being neer about vs but wilbe desirous to haue an oare in the guyding of this bark if once it be aflote either for their owne pretenses or for their frend or agaynst their opposite besydes the different reasons of state that may moue diuers parties at that day as FraÌ„ce FlaÌ„dres DeÌ„mark that our future king be not ouerstroÌ„g Spayne FraÌ„ce FlaÌ„ders that he coÌ„cur with them in religioÌ„ EnglaÌ„d generally that he subiect vs not to an other crowne EnglaÌ„d in part that he be homeborne and England in three partes to the fauor or disfauour of three distinct religions Protestant Puritan and Catholique euery parte for his owne And as these things are manifest in themselues so is it also no lesse euident that the only or principal meane to preuent these dangers were to mittigate somwhat these acerbities now to the end that men of different religions dealing more freindly together might in time either come to be all of one opinion or at leastwise to agree in some good temperature for this publique afaire of the common-wealth which is impossible to do while matters of religion are pursued with such hostilitie as for many years they haue bin To which consideration there commeth also an other of no lesse moment in myn opinion which is that her Maiestie hauing raigned now a goodly number of years being neer the one and fourtie of her scepter as she followeth fast on the rate of Octauianus Augustus yeares of Empire so would she imitate his sweetnes and felicitie also in disposing his later yeares euen from the number of fourtie that her Maiestie is now at to the exhilerating of all her people generally as he did and therby came to be so deare so intirely beloued of all as the publique teares of all did testifie at his death all crying and wishing that either he had neuer bin borne or neuer dyed neuer bin their Emperor or neuer left to be referring the former parte of their wish vnto the beginning of his gouernmeÌ„t which had bin preiudicial to their common wealth and the second to his latter end which was most grateful to all And this particuler point of Augustus his proceeding diuers noble kings also of her Maiesties progenitors haue indeuored to imitate by special dissignement namely the two famous Henryes the fourth and seuenth and Edward also the fourth who albeit they entered by dint of sword and had many sharp bickerings for diuers yeares with their oposite factions yet all three of them so disposed themselues to clemencie towards their later dayes as they were most dear euen to them that had bin their enimies and oposit at their first entraÌ„ce to the crown VVhich circumstance notwithstanding of difficultie doth not occur to her Maiestie in the matter proposed for fauour of the Catholiques for that she neither entered the crowne by force of armes nor had she the catholiques of her realme against her therin but rather they were the people that principally with most harty affectioÌ„ assisted her Maiestie to the quiet and peaceable possession of the same as in another place more at large hath bin declared And euer since they haue liued with that
A TEMPERATE VVARD-VVORD TO THE TVRBVLENT AND SEDITIOVS VVach-word of Sir Francis Hastinges knight vvho indeuoreth to slaunder the vvhole Catholique cause all professors therof both at home and abrode Reduced into eight seueral encounters vvith a particuler speeche directed to the Lordes of her Maiesties most honorable Councel To vvhome the arbitriment of the vvhole is remitted By N. D. Psalm 71. vers 4. Iudicabit Dominus pauperes populi humiliabit calumniatorem God vvil iudge his poore and afflicted people and vvil make the stâ—nderer to stoop Imprinted vvith Licence ANNO M. D. XCIX THE PREFACE TO THE READER I Could much haue vvished that Sir Francis Hastinges vvho geueth himself for author of a certayne iniurious pamphlet published some monethes past agaynst Catholiques and intituled Avvache-vvord or vvhosoeuer made that byting libel for him vvith intention to dishonor him vvith the title as on the one syde he nameth himself knight and all men knovv the Hastinges to be of a verie honorable familie and one also to be knight of that name so on the other had he obserued some terme and stile of nobilitie or gentrie in his vvryting in vvhich case I had either vvholy spared this labour of ansvvering him at all leauing him only to the censure and rebuke of his equals for medling in so base an excercise as calumniation and rayling is in this his old yeares or at leastvvise should he haue receyued his check and refutation vvith that regard of vvorship and honor as othervvise had byn due to his rank place and person But fynding him so far forgetful of all knightly temperance in his tongue and of all ciuil cariage in the drift and current of his book as he holdeth no rule or limit of modestie at all but inraged rather as it seemeth vvith a furious veyne of inuectiue spirit spareth neither God nor man so far forth as they concerne the catholique cause or the cause them he must beare vvith me and lay it to his ovvne demerits if I be driuen to encounter vvith him in some more egar and sharp manner at certayne meetinges then either I allovv of by myne ovvne lyking or then the reuerend respect I carie to his house and familie and the particuler affection I feele tovvardes some of his ovvne name and linage vvould othervvise haue induced me VVho vvill not confesse but that lying forging and falâ—ifying ignorant vaunting odious scoffyng malitious calumniations seditious interpretations bloodie exaggerations Barbarous in sultations ouer them that already are in affliction and calamitie ought to be far from the nature pen and tongue of a knight or gentleman and yet these are the flovvers or rather furies of this skolding discourse as aftervvard you shall see by that vvhich is to be treated VVherin if the lyues honors states and liuinges of home-borne subiectes vvere only touched and brought in question as they be it vvere more tolerable though no vvay tolerable being don vniustly but the heat of this hastie knight resteth not here but rusheth further to the open assault of forayne monarches also their honors fame and reputation vvhich is lesse tolerable and consequently hath need of some more sharpe and forcible reiection The violence of the Puritan spirit is not vnknovven to the vvise of England vvherunto also France and Scotland vvil beare sufficient vvitnesse It hath byn kept dovvne many yeares by the valour and prudenee of the Protestant and the knovven professors therof haue byn held leane and hungrie by her Maiestie to no smale benefyt of publique peace and so may be stil vvhyle the Catholique partie hath also some poyse and svvay in the balance agaynst them If Sir Francis be one of them it may seeme perhaps expedient in his vvisdome that her Maiestie grovving novv fast in yeares thinges be brought to some trial by garboile in her dayes for that aftervvard more then one parte may chance to ioyne agaynst them vvherfore if they might novv oppresse the catholique partie by the hand of her Maiestie their ovvne vvould serue aftervvardes more easely to do the lyke agaynst her and hers and the vvay and meanes to effectuate them both may seeme perhappes no vvise to be more potent or speedie then to dryue many at home to desperation by feares and terrors of oppressions and by opprobrious iniuries and personnal slaunders to inforce forayne princes of the same religion to implacable yre and indignation And this is the proper course that Sir Francis taketh throughout his vvhole sedious vvach-vvord VVhich to couer the better he falleth to extreme flaterie of the other syde espetially of the state and of her Maiesties person in particuler vvhich are the fittest baytes to couer such hookes as angle after popular fauor for a further fetche To this man then I am to ansvver as the substance and tenour of his accusations fictions or calumniations shall leade me reducing all that I am to saie for better order and memorie to eight or nyne principal heades branches and argumentes vnder the name of encounters vvherin I dout not but the apparent truth of diuers poyntes vvil come to light vvhich hitherto haue layen hidden and obscure in the vnderstanding of many hoping that the discret reader vvill passe ouer these fevv lynes vvith a beneuolent or at least an indifferent eye reseruing the final iudgment of all to the Lordes of her Maiesties Councell vvhome I my self haue chosen for vmpires and arbitres of the vvhole controuersie and so I end this entrance and vvil passe to my first combat and incounter vvith Sir Francis Hastinges Your harty freend that vvisheth your best and greatest good N. D. THE PRINCIPAL PARTES OF THIS VVARD-VVORD THe preface to the reader about Sir Francis Hastinges manner of proceeding The first encounter about blessings or cursings receyued by change of catholique religion in England page 1. The second encounter concerning certayn absurd grovvndes of catholique religion faigned by the knight and the defence of Saynt Thomas of Canterbury page 11. The third encounter touching forged perils to haue byn procured to her Maiestie by Catholiques both before and since her raigne page 27. The fourth encounter about certain principal Englishmen iniured by name as Bishop Gardener Cardinal Allen c. also about father Persons and other Iesuites page 41. The fifth encouÌ„ter about Iesuites and father Persons in Particuler vvhether they seek the Queenes blood as S. Fra. affirmeth page 55. The sixth encounter of Catholique recusants novv in England and the fault of disloyalty falsly layd against them page 72. The seuenth encounter of for ayn princes slandered and first about the Bishop of Rome vvhether he be Antichriste or no. page 90. The eight encounter about the present king of Spayn and the Spanish nation iniured by Sir Francis page 102. A speech to the Lords of her Maiesties priuie Councell remitting the iudgement and arbitrement of the vvhole controuersie to their censures as also the iudgment and petition of the ansvverer for ending or composing of
religion in England had not byn changed we had had no breach with Rome nor consequently had the excommunication followed whereof so great noise hath byn made in the world abroad and so great trouble at home And what the vnion and frendshipp of the Bishop of Rome may importe euen as a temporall Prince the effects shewed of late in Fraunce where espetiallie by his indeuour and authoritie matters haue byn compounded that seemed verie hard and desperate before not only between that King and his owne subiectes but also between that crown and Spayn and the states of Flaunders which without such an arbiter and vmpyre would verie hardly haue euer byn accommodated Sixthly England had continued in her old ancient amitie and leagues moste honorable with Spayn and Burgâ—ndie and with their dependents and consequently had auoyded all these long and costly warres which by that breach we haue byn inforced to manteyne with losse of so many worthie men and expence of so great treasure as easelie maie be imagined and the quarell not yet ended Seuenthly so great and bloody warres and tumultes in Christian kingdomes round about vs had neuer happened as before in part hath byn declared and all the world doth impute the principal causes and motions therof vnto the diuersitie of religion in England And lastly most dolefull alterations in our own countrie had byn auoyded as the depriuation in one day of all the sacred order of Bishops in England with their perpetual imprisonment for that they would not subscribe to this infortunate change of religion wroong out in ParlameÌ„t as all men know by the oddes only of one or two voices of lay men The disgrace and abasing of so many noble houses with ouerthrow of others wherof let Norfolk Arundel Northumberland Oxford VVestmerland and Dacres giue testimonie For of the rest I will not make mention seing perhaps themselues would be loth I should all which had passed otherwise by probabilitie if religion had not byn altered The continual and intollerable affliction also of so many honorable and worshipfull Gentlemen had neuer happened for perseuering in their fathers fayth wherto our country was first conuerted from infidelitie without any other offence obiected or to be proued agaynste them but only refusing to accommodate themselues to this change The torturing hanging and quartering of aboue a hundreth Preestes for the same cause the moste of them good Gentlemen and youthes of rare witt learning and other partes which other Common wealthes would highly haue esteemed and so would ours too in tymes past and will agayne in tyme to come when these blastes shall once be ouerblown All these inconueniences and calamities had bin auoyded or the moste of them if change of Religion in England had not byn made so that the innumerable benedictions which this poore man would needs threap vpon vs by the change do come to be in effect these that follow First in Spiritual affayrs to haue no certaynty of Religion at all as hath bin proued no stay no foundation no rule but only euery mans own priuate iudgment and fansie wrangling and iangling without end and without iudge or meanes to make an end Nouelties without number and liberty of lyf without feare or force of Ecclesiasticall disciplyne to restrayn it And theÌ„ in temporall matters the blessings are such as haue bin discouered our Realme deuided and shiuered in a thowsand peeces our Princess olde without children or hope of any our Crown without Succession our olde frends and allyes made our enemies our new frends vncertayn our own flesh and countrymen most pitifully deuided within their own bowels and most miserably tossed and turmoyled both abroad and at home abroad and in other countries with Prisons Yrons Chaynes Gallyes and other Afflictions euen to Death it self for being Protestants Pirats Spies Practisers or other such imputations incident to enemyes At home afflicted with no less persecutions of our own Magistrates for being Catholiques or deemed to be such So as I would fayn know who are they in our litle Iland that feel these innumerable benifits and blessings by change of Religion which this gentleman talketh of seeing there are very few either of one Religion or other that taste not of the miseries wherof I haue spoken either in themselues their frends children seruants kinsefolks goodes honours or otherwise and most of all the Realm and Commonwealth it self It may be Sir Francis sitteth easier then other men hauing gotten som fat morsel to feed on by this change yet ought he to haue some sens and feeling also of other mens greefs or at least-wise so much wit as not to put himself to sing in publique when so many thowsands of other men do weep and complayn And so much of his blessings THE SECOND INCOVNTER ABOVT CERTAIN ABSVRD GROWNDS and principles forged by this Knight to be in Catholique Religion WE haue taken a scantling in the former incounter of this our knightes folly and flatterie now followeth a fuller view of his cogging and lying for these two vertues coÌ„monly go together qui adulator idem mendax sayth one the flatterer is a lyar in lyke manner For neither truth can stretch herself to flatter nor flattery can be manteyned without lying This man then after he hath flattered the state of England so grosly and fondly as you haue heard by telling them of the innumerable benedictions powred out vpon the whol Iland by the change of religion now he will needes take vpon him to set before our eyes the spiritual miseries and maledictions that Catholiques were in before this change to witt in Queen Maries dayes and in former raignes of ancient Catholique Princes by reason of certayne absurd and false principles which as he sayth were then receyued for truthes in matters of Religion But before he come to set down those principles he maketh for his preface acertain poetical description of the dark clowdy and mistie state of thinges in Queen Maries tyme in these woords It is not vnknown sayth he to many yet liuing nether can it be altogether â—idden from the yonger sorte that liued with them what a dark mistie clowd of ignorance which brought in popish idolatrie and all manner of superstition did ouershadow the whole Land c. and againe after In these dark and clowdy daies least the sun-shine of knowledge should dispearce the mists of ignorance and giue light to the dimm of sight c. Doth it not seeme that this graue gentleman describeth the lake of Auernus in Italy or some foggy marsh in England or some smoaky kitchin or wood-howse of his own without a window when he speaketh of our famous Country in former tymes Aboue a thowsand years the state of England and the Princes People Nobility and Learned men thereof had continued in that Egiptian or rather Cimmerian darknes which he describeth vnder clowds mists and shadows vntil his new Sun-shyne doctors came in to
together for that some of the sayd Councell had opposed themselues against him about the apprehension of a certain gentleman heretique which he took very vnkindly and then indeed heâ— foretold them freely what would insew of this their partial manneâ— of proceeding Wherby also it is much more probable that his complaint of the root of heresie remaining and not touched was meant rather of the infected nobility and gentry within the land in which number perhaps your brother the Earle and your self also â—id enter then of lady Elizabeth at that day for that in deed she was not the root then nor did the change of religion spring of her principally afterwards but of those other inferior roots which I haue menâ—ioned But yet let vs graunt further for arguments sake that he did speak those woords as a Counseller in those dayes and that they might be wrested by probability also against the lady Elizabeth in Queen Maries time yet do I aske why should they be made treason or punished for such in this Queens raign was not her Maiestie as subiect then and the D. as a Counseller and therby bound to speak freely that which â—he thought surest for his prince and realme at that day it might argue perhaps some lack of tender affection to the lady and yet perhaps not that neither seing the father in such a case doth speak often times against his only sonne or daughter but treason in no rigor right or reason can it make no more then for a Counsellor in this Gouerment of her Maiestie that now is to speak what he thinketh freely about any person that may pretent to the crowne heerafter Wherefore though all this were true which this man aleadgeth as many arguments proue them to be fals yet D. Storie leauing afterward his counâ—rie going ouer the seas either with licence or without when there was no statute to the contrary and being brought home again by force â—nd trechery of a shipman that alured him into his ship and so caried him away all this I say maketh neither treason nor any other trespas of moment in the sight of indiferent men and consequently neither his hasty araignment condemnation and execution vpon his return â—wherof this cruel harted knight triumpheth doth so much proue that he was guilty of great crymes as that he had potent passionate enemies as Christe had before Pilate that by shoots clamors sought his blood by any means whatsoeuer for that he had bin a more zelous catholique then some other of his coat and degree in Queen Maries â—aign foâ— which catholique men think that he is to receiue a great â—rown of glory and fame also eternall vpon earth And so the trial of this matter lyeth stil in the darke to be examined by that great iudge when he cometh to look ouer the iudgments of mortall men and reâ—eal that which is amiss And so much for this matter Next after D. stories affair commeth in the roaring Bull of Pius Quintus with the excomunication of her Maiesty which serueth for a â—ommon bugg against all catholiques euery where as well at barres benches and places of iustice where other particuler and personal accusations do want as also in pulpits schooles sermons books and declamations for making vp the complet furniture of those places still it is so vrged as though all english catholiques must needs be guilty of this fact of the Pope and so be participant also of the offence giuen therby against her Maiestie if any way they beleeue or admit his Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction and authoritie which consequence notwithstaÌ„ding is so apparently fals and cauillous in it self for that all catholiques were not priuie to Pius Quintus his reasons and informations in that behalf and it hath bin so euidently refuted heretofore by diuers most cleer and manifest reasons and treatises that I mean not to stand at this present vpon that point especially with so silly a concurrent as this gentleman is in matter of dispute whose ridiculous proposition in this place that no mortall child of man hath power to dispose of kingdoms or to depose princes or to dispence with subiects for not obeying c. semeth to proceed not only of deep ignorance both in reason and storie but of so base a brest also and seruile a cogitation as if temporal kingdoms were matters of Godhead and immortality And no doubt but if such a knight had liued in Nero or Caligula his time that would needs be Gods he had bin a fit fellow to fal down and adore them and tell the people most religiously with both handâ— held vp to heauen as he doth heer that no mortal childe of man had power to iudge of their doings being great and high princes or to deny them obedience in any matter hauing once sworne obedience in temporal affairs for this is our case heer whether a prince once admitted and established may be towched afterwards or disobeied in any matter or for any cause either of religion or otherwise and that by any mortall childe of man and our tender conscienced knight resolueth the case that he cannot and consequently that the romanes did euill in disobeying such Emperors as would be Gods and other mortal children of men for displacing of their princes once receiued for what cause soeuer for all this enseweth of his fond and heathenish position But let this Prince-idolater that professth to be a great Bible-clark read ouer the four books of kinges and he shal see how many kingdoms were disposed of and princes deposed by mortal children of men and the same alowed also by God himself And in our kingdom of England since it was a monarchie both before and since the conquest he 〈◊〉 haâ— finde very many examples of mutations in like manner made by mortal children of men seing they are now dead that made them which yet he must approue for good and lawful except he will impugne the succession of her Maiestie that now is which is not likely seeing the poore man flattreth so seriously with all the arte and power he can And therfore leauing this matter as ouer long an argument for me to â—andle in this place I shall only consider briefly of three points vpon this his speach that may yeeld sufficient light to the matter in haÌ„d The first is that wheras this accuser affirmeth the Catholiques of England to haue begun to fret and chafe against her Maiestie as soon as she was in full possession of her crown and consequently to practis treasons by the Pope of Rome let it be noted out of our own chronicles what year this Bull of Pius Qinutus came foorth and therby they shall see how many years which were a dozen at the least passed after her Maâ—esties coronation befoâ—e any such thing was attempted by any of the Popes of Rome so as this was not like to proceed of their maligning her Maiesties state and diadem as this
England during the raigne of fourtie yeares notwithstanding â—ll the pressures vexations dishonours rapines slaughters impriâ—onments and deaths which they haue suffered in this space at the hands of Protestantes Puritans and Atheists for their religion VVhich afflictions layd together haue byn more then euer subiecteâ— since England was a monarchie suffered at home in this kynde Now then mark that which followeth If we looke one our own chronicles we shall scars finde any one Princes raigne though oâ— far fewer yeares then this euen when the people were all of one reliâ—gion and none of these afflictions and pressures layd vpon them buâ— that many more commotions troobles and rebellions happened then in this long tyme and among so infinite exasperations haue insued And if we looke vpon the short raignes of king Edward Queen Mary and the parte of king Henryes tyme after alteration in religion there is no comparison And whence cometh all this trowâ— you but of the singuler vertue and vnspeakeable patience of the Catholique subiectes of our tyme vnder her Maiestie that haue liued and suffered all this with gronning only and secret teares without further breach to defend themselues or reuenge ther iniuries And truly when forayn nations do both see and read the bloody list of lawes made against Catholiques and Catholique religion in England within these forrtie yeares and do heare of the rigorous execution of thesame together with the incredible molestations that therby are layed vpon so great and potent numbers of people that lack noâ—â—corage also to aduenture euen to death it self in fauor of their said religion they rest astonished and do wonder how either the countriâ—â— can remayn voyd of continual tumults or the prince free from infinitâ— dayly perils seing that desperation in such matters is the next dore to all extremities especially the persecution beinge so rigorous and violent so vniuersal and exorbitant as infinite people are interessed and touched therby either inmediatly by themselues or in their children seruantes kinsfolkes or frendes whereupon fynallie they do greatly admire as I haue said the modestie patience and longanimitie of the English Catholiques And so much the more for that the Protestant when he is vnder and disâ—auored hath no patience at all but breaketh out continually to most violent tumultes and rebellions If we do consider the deportement of the protestantes in Queen Maries tyme and how euery moneth almost they had either rebellious or new turbuleÌ„t practises against the state and Queen not being ashamed at length also by publique bookes to make all weomen incapable of royal gouernement a man would think this fellow very shameles not to blush to make this discourse agaynst Catholiques so soon after those broiles of his owne people And yet these differeÌ„ces are to be noted in the cause first that Q. Maryes gouernement dured but â—tle more then foure yeares and this of her Maiestie hath donne fourty â—en were the principal protestantes not touched nor pressed but now â—o Catholiques at all is spared they were restreyned only from brining in of nouelties these are forced to renounce their old religioÌ„ that â—om the first coÌ„uersion of the land they and their fathers haue profesâ—ed and vowed to keep they had few or no forrayn princes of their â—eligion round about to geue them courage or assistâ—nce these haue â—e most and strongest in Christendome and yet are quiet and this for England But if we passe our eye beyonde this litle Iland also and consider â—hat reuel these frends of Sir Francis though not of Saynt Francis â—aue made in other countries since the beginning of their innouaâ—ions to witt in Germanie France Flandres Poland Swethland Demnarke and Scotland agaynst their true and lawful princes what â—rmies campes battayles and insurrections what desolation of counâ—ries cities townes and linages they haue caused and what slaughter â—nd hauok of Christian blood they haue procured more impudent and â—idiculous will this clamor and exaggeratioÌ„ of our crowching knight â—eem to be about two earles only that vpon feare of force gathered â—heir seruants neighbours and tenants together and presently fled â—nd of two or three other gentlemen wherof the one was put to death â—or hauing a description of certaynes portes and hauens only found in â—is chamber and for that he had some intelligence with the Queene of Scottes and with Don Bernardin de Mendoza Embassador for the King of Spayne resident in England though nothings els could be â—roued against him the other went beyond the feas for that he could â—ot lyue with his conscience at home and neuer hurted them since And of two earles more committed the one vpon suspition and nothing proued against him that was known before his piteous death which God only knoweth how he came vnto the other for flying first for his conscience out of the realme he beeing taken on the sea and brought back again and after diuers yeares of imprisonment without any further matter layd to his charge was after condemned principally if not onely for a Masse heard or caused to be said in the tower of LoÌ„don which was such a treason as all his noble ancestors would haue byn glad to haue ben coÌ„deÌ„ned for his posteritie may glori that he was for that neuer Earle in England synce it was Christian was euer brought to the bar for such and so glorious and so holy a treason And to conclude all these accusations in deed layd together against English Catholiques are but very tryfles and triuial things that dayly happen in moste quiet peaceable commonwealthes where no man is afflicted by the state at all But that infinite greater and more haynous stirres and breaches haue not bin raysed within the space of fourtie yeares where so deadly differences in religion and so continual persecution against so great a body haue bin in vre this I say as I sayd before that to men of iudgement and indifferencie and of experience in gouernment is a maruelous wonder and a moste famous canonization of the patience magnanimitie and fidelity of English Catholiques and her Maiestie and the realme are happy that they haue such subiects And if they will not beleue me let them but turn the leaf a litle against protestants puritans and other new sectaries and restrain them from their desires and pinch them with persecution but a quarter of that they haue donn to Catholiques and they shall se and feele by experience which kynde of people is more apte to obey or to woork turmoiles and perils to their weal-publique and gouernours And therby also will appear the vanitie and malice of this impertinent and spitefull slanderer who endeth his inuectiue with these woords There is no end saith he with this people their practises are pestilent their perswasions perilous their platforms traiterous and to serue their turn they want not cunning to execute all so violent they are in their vilanies and treasons and so shameles
gouernours as I haue sayd with equal authoritie all in his opinion or the far greater parte very catholique But he was no sooner dead but all these orders of his were ouerthrowen and a protector made the third day after the kinges death and sone after religion changed and the law of six articles abrogated and as litle regard had to king Henries will and ordinances as if he had neuer byn king of this realme or mayster to the breakers And among other these changes was displaced Gardener himself one of the cheef of those sixteen appoynted for gouernours by king Henry and not only thrust from all authoritie but sent also to the tower of London prisoner as before I haue shewed and other Catholique Lordes remoued in lyke manner from the Councel for lyke endes and purposes Then began a new world of making new Lordes new Earles new Marqueses new Dukes in deuiding great states offices dignites in good felowship amonge themselues all in the name of the childe king though he were not yet crowned nor three weekes past synce his fathers death New men also were called out of Germany to wit Peter Martir and Martin Bucer two apostated friars with their wenches that had been Nunnes who must come to teache a new religion in England but with expresse condition to be indiffereÌ„t to reache that sect opinion either of Luther Swinglius or Caluin or other that should be determined and agreed vpon by the Parlament then in gathering together and so they were contented and with that condition they were sent the one to Oxford and the other to Cambrige Then was the new English forme of seruice drawen out in hast by certayne of the Protectors chaplayns in Somerset place in London not fully agreeing to any of the Captaynes doctrine aforesaid but somewhat mingled of them all and much also of the Catholique ryte and forme all which was approued soone after for apostolical and established by the lay part of the Parlament for the cleargie reclaymed and all men inforced to sweate vnto it and so for the old religion receaued by the vniuersal church and continued in England for aboue a thousand years and confirmed by so many miracles at the beginning as S. Bede and other ancient authors do affirme and allowed by the consent of all our learned English for so many ages now was there a new religion deuised in corners set vp by certayne obscure and hungrie fellowes in hast within the space of two monethes and authorized by a parlament of vnlearned lay men to be the rule of our saluation But in the meane space the Duke of Somerset now head of this church for that the childe king was at play could think nothing of it attended principally to his temporall aduancement to purchase good old land and caused his seruantes to set forward the new religion without troobling him therin saying that all should be examined and approued afterward by the authoritie of the yong king as trew head of the Church and so it was Then followed great tumultes and rebellious in the realme as also iarring and falling out of the great protestant Councellors among themselues The protector first cut of the head of his brother the Admiral and then the Earle of VVarwicke cut of the head of the Protector and diuers of his frendes and made himself duke of Northumberland and then plotted with the duke of Suffolke to cut of all king Henries children and to bring in Suffolkes daughter and Northumberlandes sonne as they did For which soone after both their heades were cut of also by Queen Marie and Catholique religion was restored agayne to the state wherin first it was when king Henry her father began this tragedie and first put all out of ioynt Thus passed the matter briefly and all this Bishop Gardener had seen and passed through and had plaied his parte in diuers actes and pageantes to wit as an actor in the beginnyng and as a patient after as hath byn shewed And being now restored to his old estate agayne and more ouer made Chancelour of the realme and looking back vpoÌ„ the dream past had he not trow you iust cause to preache hora iam est nos de somno surgere it is tyme to aryse from sleep wherin we haue slumbered these tweÌ„ty yeares and more in suche varietie of tossinges and to walk with more light and stead fastenes for the tyme to come let it be left I say to the iudgment of euerie discreet reader whether this theame parable were fitly chosen and wel applied by B. Gardener or no or rather blasphemously peruerted as our Hunting deuyne Sir Francis wil needs haue it and so much for this tyme of Bishop Gardener About C. Allen for that I haue byn ouer large in B. Gardeners affaires I meane to be verie breef so much the breefer for that the matters obiected agaynst him by this accuser are very cauils if we consider the substaÌ„ce of the thing it self for he sayth that this English traytor though he were a Cardinal at Rome and sworn to the Popes paÌ„table hath sent froÌ„ thence many slanderous and seditious pamphlets and in one which was the treatise against the English execution of iustice he seemeth to wish that doctor Sanders and doctor Bristow had spared to speak so much in defence of Pius Quintus Bul agaynst her Maiestie and yet he doubteth not to affirme that these two learned men of â—reat zele and excellencie had their special reasons to do so which he will neither desend nor reproue c. And further he proceedeth sayth this maÌ„ to excuse all the preestes and studentes beyond the seas and all such as haue come ouer and saith that all of them â—ince that censure of his holinesse to vse sayth he his owne wordes did vse all â—euerence and respect to her Maiestie vttering in no preaching speach or booke â—o not at the houre of their death and martyrdome nor euer before in any their confessions to the magistrate any disloyal word agaynst her Maiestie These woordes recyteth Hastinges out of the discourse against their English iustice as wordes of moderation or rather blushing as he â—ermeth them for that which was done before and yet he sayth that â—n an other treatise of defence of Sir VVilliam Stanlies act in geuing â—uer Deuentrie to the king of Spayne the Cardinal cometh to â—tter himself as far as either Sanders or Bristow or any other in approbation of the sayd excomunication which thing albeit this kinght â—o greatly condemne yet cannot I any thing marueyle thereat considering that the Cardinals opinion being as he was could be no other in substance touching matters of controuersie then was that of doctor Sanders doctor Bristow and the rest And though for peace â—â—oderation and edification he liked wel in others and specially â—n the yonger sorte of preestes that they should auoyd all occasion of â—ateful speach in this odious
controuersie yet might he speake his mynd playnly being in the place and dignitie he was when occasion should be offered which I shall indeuour to expresse more cleerly â—y the example following In a great and noble house where there are many children of the â—elf same parentes if those parentes do come to breach and to fall out â—etween them selues what can the children do but besorowfull and â—ent and sigh at such contentions without taking willingly any â—arte for that they loue feare and reuerence both the parties that â—â—e fallen at debate for which respect also they dare not so much as to â—terpose ther iugdmentes and censures in the controuersie except they â—â—e forced and especially they onger sorte of children who be fitter to â—eepe and morne such contentions then to determine them with â—heir verdict yet it is not so altogether with the elder brethren that â—eing come to mannes estate learned and wise seing the breach to grow greater daylie between their sayd parentes and superious haue authoritie and right to speake more freely then the rest And not only to intreat for peace but to interpose also their iudgmentes though euer with due reuerence to both partes as wel in the question de iure as de facto that is to saie not only to iudge and discerne where the greater authoritie or higher preeminence of commanding lyeth by right either in the one parent or other in the father or in the mother but also in the particular fact about which they fell out to wit who had more reason then the other or who was most in fault which second point is much more hard hatefull subiect to offence then the first yet may discreet louing childreÌ„ say their opinion also in that behalf wheÌ„ need requireth without breach of dew respect dutie Euen so then standeth the case in this our controuersie Her Maiestie being our Queene is therby also a mother and norisheth vs her subiectes as a carefull parent the Bishop of Rome to al catholique men of the world is their spiritual father that hath principal care of their soules by Gods commission and for such hath he euer byn taken and is at this day in all the catholique states and kingdomes of Spayneâ— Franceâ— Italyâ— Germanie Pooland and other prouinces that hold the ancient beleef of Christendome And so hath he byn held also by all our ancesters kinges and Queenes cleargie and temporaltie of England for aboue a thousand yeares together But now our sayd two parenteâ— are fallen at debate for which all their Catholique subiectes who are children to them both are hartelie sorie and do lament the case all sortes of people commonly both lay men preestes within England do hold their peace and sobbe at the matter as yonger children and do only attend to praie to God for their good attonement and so do the rest also that are abroad in other nations But yet if doctor Sanders doctor Bristow doctor Stapleton doctor Allen and such lyke that are men of greater learning antiquitie and iudgment and elder brethreâ— among the rest if these men I say do put in their iudgmentes concerning this controuersie of their parentes as wel de iure as de factoâ— that is do tell first what authoritie and iurisdicton either temporal oâ— spiritual each one of these two parentes and superiors haue wherin they are or ought to be subordinate the one to the other and secondly de facto ipso if the falling out it selfe do insinuate where and by whome the cause of this breach and discord was first or principally offered and which parte hath most fault in this contention and disagreement if they do this I saie as any subiect may do in any other Catholique kingdome of the world without offence in lyke controuersies between his prince and the Pope why should this acte be made so haynous a cryme by this our skolding knight as to call so worthy a man as our late Cardinal was an archtraytor a tugling compagnion a shameles dissembling lyer that villanously stuffeth his booke with blasphemous slanders diuelish persuati ns and impudent lyes agaynst her Maiestie Let all men iudge of this mannes immodestie THE FIFTH INCOVNTER ABOVT IESVITES AND FATHER Persons in particuler vvhether they seeke the Queens blood as Sir Francis affirmeth FOR the grownd and foundation of all that is to be examined and discussed in this conference and incounter I shal first set down the accusation of Sir Francis in his own woords which are these that insew I do not heare sayth he that the Popes holinesse is so purged from ambition or so reconciled to religion as he meaneth not to continew his clayme for the Supremacie or will cease to setle the dreâ—ges of his poyson and superstitious doctrine among vs. I cannot perceiue that the thirst of Parsons and his pew fellowes is yet quenched for seeking the blood of our deare Souereigne and in her the destruction of vs all the cause remayning still for which heertofore they haue sought it c. This is the knightes narration or rather calumniation fraught as you see with his ordinarie tearmes of dregges poyson and bloodshed with which his accustomed knightly speach is wont to be â—awfed Wherin so much as concerneth the Popes holinsse sbalbe considered of more amply afterward in a perticuler conference that we are to haue about his holinesse actions authority and iurisdiction Now only is to be noted the fond and ridiculous manner of Sir Francis fantastical writing telling vs very grauely that he doth not yet hear for belyke the poore man doth much hearken after it that the Popes holinesse is so purged yet of ambition or so reconciled to protestants religion as he meaneth to leaue of his old clayme of spiritual Supremacie ouer England or his indeuoring to setle Romish doctrine among vs for I omit willingly the tearmes of dregges and poyson as more fit and proper to Sir Francis dish who feedeth vpon so many old heresies condemned for poysoned dregges by Gods Catholique churche for so many ages past and this tale of Sir Francis is no lesse ridiculâ—â—â— and childish then if he should say to any temporal prince or to the Queen of England her self that he seeth not her Maiestie so purged yet from ambition as to leaue of her claym of commaundry ouer all her tealm or of setling iustice in her name throughout her dominions for that no lesse proper and essential to the Popes office and state is Ecclesiastical Supremacie ouer all christian nations in Ecclesiastical matters as after more particulerly shalbe proued then to her Maiestie the commaundrie ouer England in temporal affaires And as to her Maiestie by vertue of her royal authoritie it apperteineth and incumbeth to setle and mainteyn iustice throughout her realmes so to the Popes pastoral and Apostolical authoritie is annexed the obligation of preaching and setling his doctrine by himself or others throughout all Christian states and
auoucheth that he hath dissuaded hindered and diuerted some that might perhaps haue had such inclination and namely one Gentleman some yeares past beyond the seas he sayeth not of what nation he was that hauing resolued vpon the only zeale of religion and for deliuering of catholique people from persecution to leese his own life or to take away that of her Maiestie he was entered some hundreth miles and more into his iorney toward England for that purpose hauing made himself ready to dye by discharging his minde of all worldly cares and cogitatons neither had he doubt of the effect for that he pretended not to escape aliue all which notwithstanding vpon father Parsons earnest dissuasion that met him on the way he was content at length to retyre and giue ouer the enterprise principally vpon this reason for others he persuaded himself to haue examined sufficiently before that English catholiques themselues desired not to be deliuered from their miseries by any such attempt and this to be most true he affirmeth vpon his conscience By this then it may seem to appeer that this father is not so thirstie of her Maiesties death and desâ—râ—ction nor of so bloody a disposition as Sir Francis would make him which I haue heard also confirmed by many protestants themselues who meeting with him in catholique kingdomes where he might haue donn them hurt hath alway donn them good and I could name some if I thought it would be no hurt or disgrace vnto them let those fourscore and fifteen whom at one time he deliuered out of the chaynes of galleys of Spayn in the year 90. whereof diuers are gentlemen now dwelling in EnglaÌ„d and those thirtie and fower which this present year of 98. he deliuered from like miserie in the galleys of Naples and many other particuler men benifited by him besides speak for him in this case for that these woorkes are of more weight with wise men then Sir Francis bare woordes to the contrarie And so with this I end also this encounter THE SIXTH INCOVNTER ABOVT THE CATHOLIQVE RECVsantes that refuse for conscience sake to goe to the Protestantes churches and to be present at their seruice in England AS in many other poyntes this hastie hotespur playeth the Herodian shewing himself without conscience at all and ready to pawne his soule for pleasing the prince state where he liueth so in no one thing doth he more discouer this diuelish and detestable disposition then in his cruel and malitious calumniation agaynst the better and more religious sorte of English Catholiques who refusing to dissemble do vtter their consciences plainly in matter of religion And according to their obligation in this behalf do abstain from going to the churches preachings and seruices of them that be of a different religion And albeit he cannot but confesse that many of them do geue good example of lyf in their behaueour or to vse his owne wordes do shew a good outward ciuil cariage in ciuil matters which I dout whether all his neighbours will testifie the lyke of him and of those of his profession yet sayth he let not that possesse you with too great a regard of them and to deliuer you from the danger of such deceytfull baytes I must assure you that this is a true position that without the true feare of God there can be no true religion And vnlesse the religion be found the face and shew of ciuil honestie seem it neuer so glorious in the eies of flesh and blood is but a deceitfull visour vpon a crabtree face couering the most vyle and cankred partes of a deceitfull hart and so I come to shew their dissimulation Thus far Sir Francis to whome I will not answer by examining faces and visours whether that of his be crabtree plumtree pear-tree or figtree let other men iudge that know it Neither yet by discussing how many sortes of cankers there be where with Sir Francis himself may be touched especially if heresie be one as Saynt Paule doth signifie and all holie fathers haue held after him But to the matter it self I answer that wheras Sir Francis maketh so light of good lyf in Catholiques calling it a deceytfull bayte Christe teacheth vs to make a far different collection when in his first sermon on the mountayne he gaue this aduertisement Beware of false Prophetes c. by their frutes you shall know them for as men do not gather grapes of thornes nor figges of brambles so doth euerie good tree bringe foorth good frutes and euerie euil tree bringeth forth euil frutes Neither can a good tree bringe foorth euil frutes nor euil tree good Saynt Iames sayd in lyke case thou hast fayth and I haue workes shew thou to me thy fayth without workes and I will shew thee my fayth by my workes If then here be workes and good lyf in these Catholiques it must be presumed to come of good fayth according to Saynt Iames. And if there be figges and grapes and such other good frutes found in their behaueour then must the tree be iudged good also if Christes rule be not false And for that our Sauiour gaue this rule to discerne true and false prophetes by it is not euil that Sir Francis and his men do fly from it so openly in the playne feeld leauinge good workes to Catholiques and reseruinge only threed-bare fayth to themselues for therby they discocouer what prophetes they be And of all this I do not greatly marueyle in Sir Francis for he seeth poore man how bare a haruest he hath in hand when he talketh of workes amonge those of his sect and how the hare goeth clearly away on our syde if he hunt after good life in his new prophetes But much I marueyle of his lack of shame that talking agaynst these recusant Catholiques he maketh mention so often of deceyt and dissimulation seing that of all other people of the realme these men dissemble least but rather do publish themselues euen to the face and vewe of the magistrate yea they are punished expresly for that they will not dissemble as many others do and go to your churches with a repyning and repugnant conscience for if they would do so then were they no more recusants and consequently fâ—ee from al your clawes penalties and vexations though neuer the more yours therby in mynde then now they be But to the end this matter maâ—e be better discussed let vs heare Sir Francis triple accusation agaynst them his wordes are these I do note sayth he three thinges in this kynde of people worthie to be knowen and obscrued first the hurt thy continually do secondly ihe hurt they would do and thirdly their deep dissimulation Here are three heades you see of a greeuous accusation set downe let vs see the particulers For the first sayth he it would aske a long discourse to discouer all the hurtes done by them they are so many and manifould This is nothing but wordes
before he auowch it outwardly For if he iudge only by the external shew and outward honor of his estate he may as wel condemn of pride all other princes and great men in the world for admitting honor according to their degrees and among others our present Bishops of England may be called in question as they are by the puritanes for being termed lords and for the lord-lyk honor donn vnto them in outward demeanure To the Lords also of her Maiesties counsel may be obiected the like for causing men to kneel vnto them at the counsel table and such other like external honor admitted As for bloody monster it is a monstrous slander and a great monstruositie of inciuilitie in a gentlemans mouth so to speake for it is wel knowen that the Bishop of Rome that now is and many of his predecessors in our dayes and eyes haue vsed and do vse dayly great curtesies to infinite protestantes that passe through their states And as for blood I think verely that there hath bin more shed in onely London for religion in one year within these last twenty that haue passed then in all the whole twentie within all the townes citties and states of the Bishop of Rome and this is easie to be verefied VVell then Sir knight you rayl at randon and litle do you seem to think or consider what peril of Godes iustice may hang ouer you for the same You may remember it is written principi populi tui non maledices and agayne qui patri suo maledixerit morte moriatur The Bishop of Rome hath euer byn held for our spiritual prince and parent in England vntill with in these few yeares and so is he still holden by all Catholique kingdomes round about vs and in ours also by such as follow the old vniuersal fayth which if it be true then are you in danger of damnation by this your fury And you remember that Saynt Paule was so respectiue of this danger that hauing spoken a hastie worde agaynst Ananias calling him whyted walle for an open iniurie donn vnto him in publique iudgement agaynst the law yet when he vnderstood he was high priest notwithstanding S Paule wel knew thar his priesthood now was nothing worth the old law being abrogated by the death of Christe he did openly recall his word agayne and shewed to be sorowfull for hauing spoken it agaynst one that bore that tytle But Sir Francis hath no such feeling or remorse of conscience in him for that he is not gouerned by the same spirit of humilitie and pietie that Saynt Paule was wherunto notwithstanding I would gladly persuade him if I might and for that respect do mean to alleage vnto him the considerations insuing about the Bishop of Rome First himself in the 31. page of this his libel hath these wordes The Lord from heauen commandeth to all men vpon earth that euery soule should be subiect to the higher powers for there is no power but of God and euerie power is ordayned of God VVhich wordes if they be true then must the Popes power also be of God seing it hath byn an acknowledged power by all Christendome for so many yeares and ages not only for a lawful power but also for a holy and supreme spiritual power and then let men iudge in what cause Sir Francis standeth that not only resisteth but reuileth also this sacred power notwithstanding that the illation which Saynt Paule inferreth immediatly after the former wordes is this wherfore he that resisteth power resisteth Gods ordination those that resist Gods ordinatiō do purchase damnation vnto themselues More ouer that saying of Christ vnto the Apostles he that heareth you heareth me was not spoken only for them selues but for all their successors also that by succession should gouern the churche vnto the worlds end as all men wil cōfesse And cōseqētly the other parte also of the same sentence he that contemneth you contemneth me must needes in like manner belong vnto the same man And that the Bishops of Rome be successors in the Apostle Saint Peeters seat is no lesse manifest to all men of vnderstanding and learning And albeit Sir Francis will say presently that they follow not Saint Peeters steps and wil proue it at leisure yet if that were true the princes authority is not taken away hy his euil life or deportement for then should we haue few true princes in the world But aboue all others it pleased Christe himself to take away this obiection touching Popes and Ecclesiasticall princes when he sayd that vpon the chaire of Moyses should sit both Scribes and Pharisees and that we should notwithstanding obserue and do whatsoeuer they sayd but not according to their woorkes So as stil there remaineth the obligation to obey them though their liues and hehaueour were not correspondent but much more the obligation not to slander contemn and reuile them as our harebrain and headlong knight doth I say it is harebrain and headlong dealing to runne so furiously in so dāgerous a path as this is For besides that maledicus a railing tongued man is placed by Saint Paule among them that shall neuer attaine the kingdome of heauē it is much more grieuous sinne to vse this vice agaynst Magistrates that represent the power of almightie God and far yet greater agaynst spiritual magistrates that haue this authoritie in a far higher degree then temporal magistrates but most of all agaynst him that representeth immediately the person of Christe Iesus vpon earth which is the Bishop of Rome as presently more particulerly shalbe shewed Furthermore if all the holy and learned men of Christēdom haue not bin deceiued for so many ages together as they haue confessed this general doctrine of the Pope of Rome his prerogatiue without doubt or contradiction then is Sir Francis out of his way then is he in the open path of perdition then is he furious frantik and besides himself in rayling as he doth And that this only vniform consent of such and so many holy learned men gon before vs were a sufficient argument to make any man that were discreet and fearing God to enter into doubt at least of his doing in this behalf cannot in reason be denied and so without doubt would Sir Francis also do if his temporal life lay on the bargain as his eternal doth For let me aske Sir Francis if an herb should be presented to him to eat that all learned phisitians for a thowsand yeares together haue held for strong poyson and onely som one or two of later yeares haue begonne to teache the contrarie without actual experience whether it be so or no but only by discourse and new argumentes of their owne would he abstayne to eat it think you or no Or if an action should be offered him in England which by all old lawyers iudgment of former tymes hath byn taken for high treason ipso facto and losse of
English nation as Sir Francis sayth here of the Spaniardes or to take a comparison from himself if one English knight of a noble familie haue byn so madheaded as to make a fantastical booke stuffed with ignorances lyes and calumniations is it reason that foraine nations should iudge hereby thar all our knightes and nobilitie of England are so fond and frantik and haue so litle respect to their honours and credit as he I trow no. VVherfore as concerning the Spanish nation in general no such preiudice or slanderous rule can be geuen as this malignant spirit setteth downe for that they are in this poynt as other nations be where all sortes of people may be found some bad and many good and if comparisons may be made without offence for that comparisons are odious in such affayres between nations no nation in Europe hath more cause to glorie and geue God thankes for his giftes abundantly powred vpon them both natural moral and Diuyne temporal and spiritual for tymes past and present then the Spanish who haue a countrie both rich ample fertile and potent and praysed in scripture it self a people able and apt in respect both of wit and body to attayne to any thing they take in hand as in old tymes appeared by the most excellent Emperours Traian Theodosius the great and some other of that nation that surpassed all the rest as also by their famous learned men in ancient tymes Seneca Lucan Martial and others when they were yet heathens Osius Damasus Leander Isidorus Orotius and such lyke old renowmed Christians both for learning sanctitie by their most famous martyrs in lyke manner Saynt Laurence Saynt Vincent and many others and in our age he that will consider after their valiant deliuering of themselues out of the handes and captiuitie of the mores that inuaded and oppressed their countrie what Christian Zelous Princes Kinges Emperours Captaynes Knightes famous soldiers they haue yeelded to the world and do yeeld daylie and what store of singular learned writers do appeare from thence from tyme to tyme what countries they haue conquered by the sword and how many millions of soules they haue gayned to Christ by preaching his word in diuers and most remote partes of the world all these thinges I say put together do make ridiculous and contemptible this malignant description set downe by Sir Francis whose spetial hatred agaynst them is founded in that which of all other commendations is their greatest to wit their constancie and zeale in defence of the catholique religion for which probablie God hath so greatly exalted them alredy aboue other nations of Europe will do more daylie if they continue that feruour in defending his cause notwithstanding any other humane infirmitie or defect in lyfe that as to men of what nation soeuer may happen which our merciful lord in regard recompence of the other rare vertues of zeale iustice constancie and feruor in his cause will pardon no doubt and geue grace of true amendement and rising agayne whyle the prating heretique that scornfully sitteth downe to score vp other mens synnes shall walk for his owne to his eternal habitation prepared in hel for that his one malitious and obstinate sinne of heresie if it may be called one prepondereth with Gods iustice more greeuously then all other infirmities and sinnes put to gither which catholique men do or may commit of humane frayltie And thus much of this poynt may suffice for if I should ad to this the ancient loue and amitie of the Spanish nation towardes vs in tymes past the large leagues that England hath held with them heretofore the great wealth and gaynes we vsed to gather and reape by their trafique the noble and bountefull Queens of that linage maried into England which aboue all others taken from forayne countries haue byn most gratefull and beneficial to our land and people the exceeding charitie of the present king and of his whole nation shewed to our English catholiques abrode in this long tyme of bitter banishment persecution for their faith these thinges I say if I should repeat or set out at large would perhaps help nothing to the argumeÌ„t we haue in haÌ„d but rather geue offence tymes standing as they do and therfore I recount them not in particular but leaue them to be considered with pietie gratitude by such as are indifferent in these dayes and to be recorded in the honorable monumentes of our posteritie And so hauing answered thus much about the iniurie offered to the Spanish nation by Sir Francis in general I will passe to the approbrious speaches vsed personally agaynst their present famous and noble king once also ours with such indignitie of vnciuil and most reprochfull termes as is not sufferable And if any of the sayd kinges subiectes were to answere our knight in this demand he would cast him his gauntlet and geue him the lye and chalenge him to the defence of so notorious calumniations and therby proue him either a lying or cowardly knight or both His ordinarie termes of the most excellent most Catholique king Philip are these the ambytious king of Spayne the vsurping tyrant the proud popish champion trecherous cursed cruel and the lyke all which vyces the world knoweth â—nny herself being witnes that his Catholique Maiestie is most free of and is indewed abundantly with the opposite vertues wherof no nation hath had better proof then England by the experience we had of his sweet nature coÌ„dition both in princely behaueour pious gouernment during the few yeares he liued amongst vs ruled ouer vs which tyme notwithstaÌ„ding of his being in EnglaÌ„d this malitious sycophant will needes calumniate draw into suspition of great mysteries of iniquitie meant by him as he sayth agaynst EnglaÌ„d English people by meanes of that ioyfull mariage gouernmeÌ„t which there he had If you will geue me leaue sayth he to call to your remembrance the manner and meaning of his coming into England when he came not as an inuader to conquer but as a frend to fasten a strong league of amitie by a mariage I doubt not but to discouer the trecherous crueltie of his hart This is Sir Francis promisse and you shall see after you haue gyuen him leaue how wisely he will performe the same and how substantially he will declare vnto vs the kinges intention or at least his own inuention But before I set downe his discouerie vnder his owne hand I shall declare a litle the state of thinges whyles the Spaniards were in Queen Maries dayes in England and how the king did actually beare himself by testimonie of all those that knew him conuersed with him or lyued vnder him And then shall Sir Francis tell his tale of that he imagineth or faigneth the king would haue don in tyme and before we both haue ended I beleeue that in steed of this discouerie promised of the trecherous crueltie of
had this intention to get the kingdome as he sayth for if it were a mature deliberation and consulted also with his counsel in England as this discouerer sayth then some act and monument belike is extant to testifie the same or at leastwise some witnes or other firm argument fit to prouè it or if not how could the true harted English-man know it in Spayn and write it to the Nobles of England Or with what face can our rash and falstongued English knight professe to know it now and to wryte it so confidently Shall so great so greeuous so haynous a slander against so mightie so munificent so bountiful a Monarch passe out to the world vpon a bare assertion and malignant interpretation of one English hastie-hote-spurre that sheweth malice in euery syllable and turneth euen the kings loue and fauours to our nation his expences and benifits towards our people vnto a deceitful meaning And vpon that without other act of hostilitie on his parte appearing shall he be called ambitious and proud vsurping tyrant VVho seeth noâ— that this fellow in steed of discouering the kings malice bewrayeth his owne and in place of prouing the king an vsurping tyrant doth shew himself a shameles sicophant But let vs see what effects he sayth had like to haue ensued vpon this deuised designment of the king If once sayth he this king had obtayned the crown then as in the letter of discouerie is layd open the council table must be filled with his Councelors the hauen townes must be possessed with gouernours of his appointing fortifications must be made by his direction soldiars of his owne must be placed in garrison at places most fit to strength him self then must the common lawes of this land be altered by which iustice is truly taught to all sortes his vnholy and bloody inquisition would be not haue fayled also to bring in with all other his Spaynish lawes and ordinances sutable to the same their intolerable taxes we must haue byn pestered withall a taste wherof I will here geue you c. These are the seuen deadly sinnes which Sir Francis inforceth out of his Spanish letter as certayne to haue insued if the king had gotten the crowne which yet whyles he had the crowne did not insue as the world knoweth for that they were prouyded for before hand by the councel nobilitie and parlement of England and by all lykelihood would haue byn foreseen and prouided for also by the same prouidence of the realme if euer motion or cogitation had bin among them to passe the crowne to the king of Spayn seing Sir Francis confesseth that this matter was ment to be wrought not by force but by sweet meanes and benifites and by allurement of the nobilitie by his Maiestie Most fond therfore or forged is this letter from the true harted man in Spain who suggested feares already preuented but much more ridiculous is he in setting down certain monstrous bugges of taxes to be imposed vpon the English nation which yet by all probability were neuer though vpon nor past by mannes imagination though most childishly he avowcheth that they are payed also in Spain For thus he writeth A taste wherof of these intolerable taxes I will giue you sayth Sir Francis as that for every chimney and other place to make fier in as ouens fornaces Smiths forges and such others a frinch crown was yearly paid to him He had also powling pence for all manner of corn bread beef mutton capons pigges geese hennes ducks chicken butter cheese egges aples peares nuttes beere wine and all other things whatsoeuer he feedâ—th vpon yea no farmer yeo-man or husband-man durst eat a capon in his house if his frend came to him for if he did it must cost him six shillinges eight pence though the capon was not worth twelue pence and so toties quoties and these be the benifits and blessings that this catholique king sought to bring in hether by his absolute authoritie sought for If a man did not see these things written and printed with Sir Francis Hastinges name vnto them he would neuer imagin a man of his name howse and calling would publish such childish toyes and manifest vntruthes to the world For who is there that hath trauailed Spain as many English-men haue donne in these our dayes which knoweth it not to be an open shameles lye that for euery place to make fyer in as ouen fornace and the like a french crown is to be payed In the kingdoms of Castil and Andaluzia there is no such paiments at all in Aragon and Catalonia there is some like tribute instituted by old kinges before these states were vnited to the crowne of Castile but neither is it so much as this wise man setteth downe nor do they pay for euery place of making fyer but one onely fyer is accounted to one howshold though the people haue twenty fyers within it Touching his powling pence vpon thinges that are solde there is in the foresayd kingdomes of Castile an old rent of the crowne instituted by ancient kinges called Alcaualla conteyning a certayne tribute vpon thinges that are solde and bought but this tribute is not payd in all Spaine and namely not in Biscay Nauar Portugal Aragon Catalonia nor in the kingdom of Valencia and much lesse in forayne kingdomes and states vnder the Spaniardes as Naples Sicilia Sardinia or Mâ—llan Nor in Castillia it self is it exacted with the rigor that this fellow forgeth but euerie towne and cittie agreeth in great for this tribute by the yeare nor doth it descend to such minute thinges as he recounteth vp and much lesse to beere wherof there is litle vse in Spayne the simple fellow would needes faine his account after the English manner but among other toyes the lye of six shillinges eight pence forfeyture for eating a capon toties quoties is so notorious as it may winne the whetstone and the verie phrase it self discouereth the forgerie for that the Spaniardes haue no coyne answering to our noble or six shillinges eight pence consequently it is not probable that they would appoynt such a penaltie as they can hardly in whole money make vp the account But let vs see somewhat more of this kynde of cosinage My author sayth he doth further vnfold this kinges trecherous purpose towardes this land by discouering vpon his owne knowledge and hearing his intention to be by litle and litle to roote out the nobilitie and to keep the commons in beggerie and not to suffer one to lyue here that was borne in twentie yeares before but either to destroy them or to make them slaues among the Moores the colour wherof was because they were borne out of the Catholique churche of Rome And to make vp the measure of all impietie and the faster to set his crowne vpon his head from remouing if he had gotten it he layd his plot to destroy our deare Soueraigne ladie Queen Elizabeth hauing
decreed with himself that neither she nor any of that cursed nation so he termed it and yet the Popes holines had absolued it should gouern England any more But blessed be God who hath blessed vs with the lyfe and raigne of our blessed Queen who I trust shall liue to geue him such a deadly blow as neither his cursed self nor any of his cursed nation iustly so to be called because the Pope that cursed man of sinne hath blessed them shall euer see the day to rule in England And thus you see that vnder the colour of this mariage saluation of soules seemed to be sought for but in deed destruction both of our bodies and soules was pursued c. for without regard of sex age or degree all were destined to slauerie and bondage at the least howsoeuer they escaped with lyfe This is your sottish and impudent narration Sir Francis for what can be more sottish then to say that your wyse author before named discouereth vpon his owne knowledge and hearing that the kinges intention was to roote out the nobilitie to oppresse the commonaltie to slea or send to Barbarie for slaues all that were born within twentie yeares before If your author knew this of his owne knowledge how say you also by hearing and if he heard it of others how could he know it of his owne knowledge But whatsoeuer you say how could he in Spayne discouer so great a secret that lay in the kinges brest in England Besydes this how incredible are the thinges in themselues that he recounteth namely that dreame or old wyues tale of making all slaues within twenty yeares old of which number and within which age he had taken diuers already into his seâ—uice in England and vsed singular curtesie vnto them and one of his Grandes in Spayne to wit the Count after Duke of Feria had maried an English ladie that as I ghesse was within the compasse of that age or not much aâ—boue it at that day and should all these haue byn sent think you to Barbarie together Impudencie then it is in this fond knight to alleage such improbable and palpable lyes out of an author without name and much more lack of shame is it to auouch them himself for truthes and to adde other fables that are yet more monstrous as of the kinges destining to slauerie bondage not only those before mentioned that were borne within the space of twentie yeares but of all other English also as this man sayth without regard of sex age or degree and that he vsed to call our nation cursed euen then when the Popes holines had absolued it who will geue eare or credit to such absurd inuentions And further to fill vp sayth he the full measure of his impietie he had layd his plot to destroy and make away the lady Elizabeth now Queen wheras all the world notwithstanding knoweth the king to haue byn at that day her cheefest stay and defence as before I haue shewed at large in the third incounter as also that verie litle plotting of the kinges behalf would haue serued at that tyme to haue wrought his will if he had wished her destruction for the manifold reasons that there I haue alleaged he fynding her in disgrace and in prison at VVoodstock when he came into England and hardly pressed about wyats insurrection from the peril wherof and other lyke assaultes he espetially deluiered her and procured her return to the courte agayne and consequently I sayd there and heer I repeat it agayne that it is most barbarous ingratitude in this vnciuil knight to pay the carefull protection of her person which his Maiestie yealded to her grace in those dayes of her distresse with these intolerable slanders and outragious false criminations now and that no modest man can cease to wonder how so infamous a libel could be suffered by supreme authoritie to passe to the print espetially conteyning diuers other personal reprochefull contempteous and villanous calumniations agaynst so great and potent a prince as the king catholique of Spayne is And namely that where this good fellow hauing told a story how one Fabritius the Roman Captayne refusing the poysoning of his enemie Pirrhus that was offered to him for money by his physitian he sent the sayd physitian bound to Pirrhus himself and then he addeth this illation But the king of Spain delt not so with the Queen our mistris when her poysonable portugall phisitian Lopus would haue poysoned her for from such hopes he taketh hart c. By which wordes he would haue men to imagin that his catholique Maiestie had either hired Lopus to do that fact if any such matter was indeed intended or at least that he was priuie consenting to it for how otherwise could he haue warned the Q. of the danger intended and yet it is manifest that no such matter was euer or could probably be knoweÌ„ to the king of Spain Neither did euer Lopus giue any such signification or suspition at his death or before of the king of Spaines priuitie nor was he a man to haue correspondence in Spayn being knowen to be a Iew in religion fled from those parts and was enimy to the king in all respects as wel touching religion as the afaires of Portugal and onely England is the receptacle of such people at this day nor had his catholique Maiestie any Embassador or other agent or correspondence in England to plot such treaties nor euer was it heard that he would hearken to such base wayes of reuenge vpon his enimyes And therefore all this put together doth make it more then Turkish impietie to put in print such infamous stuffe agaynst the Maiestie of so high a prince by name without any proof at all as though there were no God no conscience no iudgement to make account vnto nor any respect in earth to be held to such as are in lawful authoritie which yet our dreaming knight himself alitle before will needes proue out of Sâ— Peeter and S. Paul to be due to such princes as he liketh to assigne it euen in spiritual and ecclesiastical matters belonging to the soule and consequently also to an other tribunal so vnconstant and mutable are these good fellowes not only in their sayinges and doctrines but also in their actions as led wholy by passion and interest and referring all to times persons and occasions seruing their turnes and commodities And thus much haue I thought conuenient to be answered to the malitious calumniations of this slaÌ„derous wach-word-giuer against the noble and renowned nation of Spanyardes and their most Catholique pious wise and potent king whose excellent vertues are greater then by my pen can be expressed and his loue and fauors to our nation such and so many especially in this extreme affliction and banishment of catholiques as no gratitude of ours can equal nor make due recompence in the state we stand in and therefore must leaue it
more honor or facilitie then at this present instant times and matters standing as they do and so fit a meanes and mediator as is the mightie king of France occurring for the purpose potent and grateful with all the extremes For with England and her Maiestie he cannot but be so in respect of matters and frendships past with Spain he is also to be presumed now by meanes and vertue of this new peace and great league concluded with his holinesse of Rome all christendome knoweth him to be as well in respect of his being a catholique as also for many particuler and extraordinary tokens of loue which his holinesse hath shewed towards his person The persons also and qualities of the parties with whome this atonement is or were to be treated are such as do greatly facilitate the enterprise and confirme the hope that all men haue of good successe For if for many ages God haue placed in the seat of Saynt Peeter a meek milde sweet and holy man this Pope Clement the eight is one knowen to be a man without gawle enmitie wrath or reuenge of singuler pietie zele in Gods cause and most tender harted towards them that are out of the way especially in heresy of whome he suffereth diuers with his owne particuler licence to come to Rome and to his owne presence and vseth them with all manner of curtesie and fatherly tendernes dismissing them again with much kindenes and diuers benefits as by experience we haue seene As for the king Catholique of Spain who knoweth him not to be Salomon pacificus that peaceable and wise Salomon of this our age who not only hath bin peaceable in himself during the time of his so long a gouernment offering molestation and warre to none except prouoked in his owne defence but also hath kept diuers other states round about him in peace likewise as by those of Italy hath bin manifestly seen vpon diuers occasions and as for his facility to make peace where any reasonable conditions are offered it hath bin sufficiently seen in this lastly made with France with restoring of so many important townes and states which he possessed of that crown and for his constancie in keeping peace once made all former times of his raigne haue giuen testimony and so will this I doubt not and the future time also in preseruing inuiolably this peace now knit vp with the king most christian and his alyes and dependants So as with neither of these princes is there any cause of dout either of great difficultie or of fraud or of breache if this treatie might be concluded and much lesse of the dutifull behaueour of English Catholiques both at home and abrode if it please her Maiestie and your Lordships to come to some moderation and peaceable manner of proceding with them In which poynt their first and highest desire should be that almightie God would inspire her Maiestie and your Lordships to think vpon the honorable godly and prudent course which the most Christian king of France hath taken of late to wit by reâ—â—iting himself and his kingdome agayne with the sea Apostolique of Rome mother of all true vnion among Christians for that by this act only all difficulties and ielousies both domestical and forrayn depending of religion were ended taken away But if for our sinnes this cannot be or not so soone as is desired then their humble petition will be that at least they may haue the same libertie and fauour in England for their consciences as Protestantes haue in France and in other states of the Empire at this day vnder catholique kinges and Emperours which petition seemeth so reasonable so easie and so profitable to the realme it self and so honorable to her Maiestie and to your Lordships who are desired to be mediators therin as they verely trust that by this good occasion you will not deny to lend them your helping hands for so publique and pretious a benefyte in all respectes And though I do not doubt but that diuers of S. Francis Hastings hote humor will step vp agaynst this proposition and cry rather fyre and sword and blood agaynst Catholiques then any toleration or relaxation yet other mennes hope is that your Lordships and others of the wiser and grauer sort of the realme will consider and suggest to her Maiestie what reason and humanitie requireth and not what the furious passion of those men demandeth who cease not to exclame with the mercilesse Iewes Crucifige Crucifige and further also would be content for satisfying their malice so they might obtayne lyke sentence of iniustice agaynst Catholiques as the Iewes did agaynst our Saueour espetially if they found a fit Pilate to grant it to cry with them Sanguis eorum super nos super Filios nostros let their blood fall vpon vs and our children and so it fell in most heauy measure vpon them and the lyke will do vpon these when tyme of payment commeth appoynted by almightie God if they change not their affection But your Lordships I presume be of a far different mynde and condition and that you will rather leaue peace loue and good will of all men to your children and posteritie then the inheritance of these enmities exasperations and deadly feudes for that blood enough and ouer much if Gods will were hath there byn spent already in our realme within these twenty yeares last past about this controuersie of religion and by this long experience your wisdomes haue seen what hath byn the euent and what is lyke to be if lyke proceeding be continued still Saynt Cyprians sentence hath byn manifestly verefied sanguis martyrum Ecclesiae semen by the blood of martirs the church increaseth Aboue a hundreth and thirtie English priestes of the only seminaries beyond the seas as most men accounte haue lost their lyues in this quarrel within the foresayd tyme all men of peace patient and humble learned vertuous and meeke yong in age for the most part but old in godlines in sapientia sanctorum in the wisdome of Sayntes for the lyf to come a great parte of them verie worshipfully borne and tenderly brought vp by their parentes and might haue liued many yeares in great delightes and pleasures of this world if the loue of eternitie had not made this vale of vanitie contemptible vnto them And albeit their death was reprehensible in the sight of some vulgar or passionate people that consider nothing but the present spectacle and popular voyce that they died for treasons yet to themselues who remembred the false accusations made agaynst their mayster for troobling the people and for dehorting the payment of tribute vnto Caesar and other such calumniations and that his innocency could not deliuer him but that at last he was preferred to dy in the midle of two theeues vpon a crosse to them I say that remembred and did meditate these thinges to them this circumstance of treason in
dutifull obedience to her Maiestie in all teÌ„poral matters which to any of her catholique ancestors hath â—uer bin exhibited by their dearest people VVherfore seeing there is no difficultie nor demerit on the behalf of the catholiques why this benifit should not be granted to theÌ„ who were in possession of it at the entrance of her Maiestie to the crown and had expresse promises to haue it continued stil and on the other side there be many and most weightie reasons to moue her Maiestie to haue compassion of them and to aleuiate their grieuous pressures and vexations after so many years of sufferance your Lordships haue the most honorable iust and pious cause in the world wherin to be mediators to her Maiestie for so principal a parte of your common-wealth as your catholiques be And for so much as this cause hath not only these three partes specified of pietie iustice and honor to moue your Lordships withall which yet I presume would to such men be sufficient but also includeth so many other like perswasiue motiues as either prudence or christian reason of state can comprehend as namely security continuance strength vnion peace defence vtilitie comfort ease ornament alacritie facility and the like great hope is conceiued that your Lordships wil not refuse to imbrace the same And surely my lordes the same reasons and many more might iustly moue her Maiestie and your Lordships also to take in hand the perfection of that greatest woorke so earnesty thought vpon by her Maiesties noble father King Henry the eight in his later dayes as before you haue heard by the publique protestation and other of Bishop Gardener his neerest and dearest Councelor in those dayes And you haue in the same matter the present example and president of the great king and kingdome of France which most wisely and happely hath followed the same resolution and hath found infinite ease honour and benefyte therby both before God and man and it is and wilbe of great consequence in Christianitie and ought no doubt to moue her Maiestie and your Lordships much Yet for that the hartes of Princes are in the handes of God to be moued when to his diuine wisdome mercy and iustice shalbe thought best and for that the sinnes of our couÌ„trie are great manifold which haue brought forth so greeuous afflictioÌ„s vpoÌ„ our selues by our selues if the multitude of these our demerits be such as do hinder so great vniuersal a blessing as would be for vs to see her Maiestie and the realme reâ—nited agayne to that spiritual fountayne of the seaâ— Apostolique by which all perfect vnionâ— must insue yet in a secondarie degree of comfort is desired that at least the persecution for religion may cease agaynst Catholiques and they be suffered to lyue in the religion wherin her Maiesties noble ancestors and your Lordships forefathers liued and dyed most christianly and honorably from the first conuersion of our land from paganisme to christan religion euen vnto these our dayes The memory of which your progenitors now dead and of their soules yet liuing and what sense and feeling they haue of these things and what they would say to you and do in this behalf if they were heer again to see men afflicted and pursued for that faith and religion which they so much esteemed and sought to aduance and by which we cannot but piously presume and hope that they be now saued and made partakers of Christes euerlasting glory with whome we can neuer haue parte nor fellowship again if we follow not their steps in the same religion this cogitation I say ought greatly to moue your Lordships to do somwhat in this so weightie and important sute of the afflicted catholiques And further I appeale to your Lordships wise consideration what a comfort it might be to her Maiestie now in her elder age and later part of her gouernment and to your Lordships also to see once all sortes of people merry contented louing and confident within the realme al to laugh and sing together all to pray to God most hartely for her Maiesties health wealth and prosperous long continuance al to be vnited in defence of the realme all made frends and familiar together as in Germanie and other places men be notwithstanding the differences of religion which more easely perhaps would be taken away and vnion brought in when freely and confidently men might confer and eche man shew his reason without feare and heare another mans argument without suspition of fraud or violence to be vsed This was the first proposition that Protestantes made vnto the world at their first appearance which they accompanied with many scriptures reasons both diuine and humane that fayth ought not to be forced They haue obtayned in sundrye countries their petition and therfore cannot in reason and honor be agaynst the same petition now made by Catholiques to her Maiestie and to your lordships in England and that with so much more equitie and iustice by how much longer Catholiques haue byn in possession of their Religion then Protestantes of theirs especially within England Your Lordships haue had many yeares experience now of the present maner of proceeding by affliction of Catholiques where one part of the land hath wept whyle the other hath laughed the one sort sighed whyle the other singed the one triumphed whyle many others haue mourned complayned and exclaymed let some proof be made of the other way also wherby contentmeâ—t is geuen to all let it be tried once in her Maiesties dayes how matters will go when all emnitie and hostillitie is taken out of the bowels of our commonwealth when the catholique man and woman in England may deale with their neighbour in loue and confidence when our noble and worshipful gentlemen abrode may returne home shew their loyal duties to their Soueraigne without offence or peril or force offred to their conscience for matters of religion when our English merchantes may traffique freely throughout the world without peril of piracie or confiscations when our home gentlemen may trauel with lyke libertie where it seemeth them best for increase of their experience to serue their country when our English students may visit forrayne vniuersityes without restraint and strangers come to ours and speake confer dispute and reason with modestie without danger of intrapping Let this my good Lords be proued for a time and let your honors as principal members of this afflicted body of our deuided realme be suters vnto her Maiestie as to the head for this sweet and holesome medicine by peace and composition within it self VVhereby there is no doubt but much honor mâ—â—it wil grow vnto your Lordships much comfort ease securitie to her Maiestie much ioy vtilitie vnto all her subiects much edification vnto our neighbours about vs much care and solicitude be taken away from all sortes of English much trooble and charges of warres excused much strength added to the